Christian Orthodoxy in the Second Century: How Did the Early Church Anchor Her Faith After the New Testament?
Ebook
Overview
What happened to the early church after the apostles had died out in the first century? Many who had opposed the apostles soon increased in number, and these charismatic personalities like Marcion and Valentinus now had the huge following to start their own “churches” and “schools” in many parts of the ancient world. This book aims to offer primary source interaction with Irenaeus, the most significant thinker in the second century, who sensed a call to equip the church with sound doctrine.
In this clear, short booklet, Choi presents the way in which Irenaeus contrasts the message of Jesus and his apostles with the corruptions that emerged in the earliest post-apostolic period. Choi’s book is more than relevant today. Just as it was then, God’s salvation plan proves to be more logical and beautiful than contemporary human thinking.
——Gie Vleugels, professor emeritus of New Testament and early Christianity, ETF, Leuven, and author of The Odes of Solomon: Syriac Text and English Translation with Text Critical and Explanatory Notes
The second century is a critical period for understanding orthodox Christian doctrine—and its competitors. Some historical theologians, however, view the second century as relatively unimportant for understanding Christian doctrine. Others portray the second century as a mishmash of competing ‘Christian’ groups, none of which have the right to lay claim to the true faith passed down by the apostles. Into this contentious space, Michael Choi writes thoughtfully and carefully, analyzing relevant sections in Justin Martyr, the Epistula Apostolorum, and particularly the writings of Irenaeus to highlight the nature of orthodoxy in the second century. I am happy to recommend this helpful work.
——Kenneth Berding, professor of New Testament and early Christianity, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and author of Polycarp and Paul
Michael Jin Choi is Professor of Systematic Theology at Torch Trinity Graduate University, Seoul, Korea. He has previously taught at Gateway Seminary in California, and at ETF, Leuven, Belgium.